The engineering giant has signed a “multi-million pound” contract with Global Energy Group to use the site from spring 2018.

The companies expect to create more than 100 jobs and supply chain opportunities.

The Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm will consist of 84 turbines with a capacity of 588MW – equivalent to powering around 450,000 homes.

SSE owns 40% of the porject alongside Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and SDIC Power with 35% and 25% shares respectively.

Paul Wheelhouse, Scotland’s Business, Innovation and Energy Minister said: “Offshore renewables represent a huge opportunity for Scotland, an opportunity to build up new industries and to deliver on Scotland’s ambitious renewable energy and carbon reduction targets for 2020 and beyond.”

Scotland has exceeded its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions six years early.